The College of Humanities and Social Sciences buildings is one of the most used on campus. Students think of computer labs and avant-garde art, but that is not all the building contains.
Many people forget or do not even know that it houses the Sam Houston State University Psychology Department. The department is home to the SHSU chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honors Society in Psychology.
Psi Chi originally started at Kansas University in 1927 and the charter was signed at Yale University in 1929. The organization aims to help psychology students in pursuit of their degree and future careers.
“Psi Chi’s goal for this semester is to establish a framework of community within the psychology department through different means including graduate school preparations and research committees,” Rhett Cooper, president of Psi Chi at SHSU, said. “We also provide social opportunities for members to get to know faculty and their research involvement and member’s peers.”
The organization also works to help further students in the department in their eventual careers in psychology. The organization has over 65 members currently including their seven officers among whom include Vice President Tara Cobler, Treasurer Jamie Giglio, Historian Devan King, Community Service Chair Jordan Erickson, Secretary James Nauert and Social Chair Kristyne Valentine. Their faculty advisor is Robert Cramer, Ph.D.
“We are also here to provide opportunities and resources to members to help advance their career in the field of psychology,” Cooper said.
According to their website, the groups mission statement is to produce a well-educated, ethical, and socially responsible member committed to contributing to the science and profession of psychology and to society in general.
Other psychology clubs and organizations on campus include the Graduate Student Psychology Organization of SHSU and Sam Houston Association of School Psychology. However, Psi Chi is the only organization of the three that is for undergraduate members.
The next upcoming event for the organization will be at Scare on the Square in Huntsville. The Scare on the Square event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Downtown Courthouse Square in Downtown Huntsville.